Pattern forming apparatus



Dec. 22, 1959 F. A. sci-HEL, SR 2,918,096

PATTERN FORMING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 13, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mig".

Arme/veen Dec., 22, E959 F. A. sci-HEL, SR 2,918,095

PATTERN FORMING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 13, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

BY T@ 1.0m@

rramuEg.

PATTERN FORMiNG APPARATUS Fred A. Schiel, Sr., Long Beach, Calif.

Application January 13, 1958, Serial No. 708,571

i4 Claims. (Cl. 144-134) This invention relates to a pattern forming apparatus and, more particularly, to an apparatus whereby an incised pattern or design may be formed in one side of a wooden board or plank.

The apparatus of the invention has particular application to the formation of an incised pattern in one surface of a plank wherein the pattern is constituted by a plurality of longitudinally oriented sinuousities.

Another aspect of the apparatus of the invention is the fact that, while the one pattern incorporating the longitudinally extending sinuousities is being formed in one side of the plank, another pattern may be simultaneously formed on the other side of the plank and, if desired, patterns may be simultaneously formed on the edges of the plank.

ln recent years, various treatments and devices have been utilized to form a variety of patterns on the surface of wood and such patterned wood has achieved a considerable vogue in the decoration of buildings and has also been utilized extensively in exterior constructions. However, such patterns as have been previously formed inthe surface of planks or plywood have been straightline patterns or have been patterns formed in a random manner by the use of sand-blasting or other similar tech niques.

It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an apparatus wherein an incised pattern or design constituted by a plurality of sinuousities may be formed in one surface of a plank while a plurality of other patterns including straight line motifs are being formed in the opposite surface and the edges of the plank.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of the aforementioned character wherein the sinuous patterns are formed in the one surface of the plank as it is translated longitudinally of the bed of the lapparatus and wherein no lateral movement of the plank to accomplish the formation of said sinuous patterns is necessary.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus of the aforementioned character wherein kthere is included a cutter mounted transversely of the bed of the apparatus and wherein there is provided carriage means operatively connected to the cutter to accomplish transverse movement of the cutter and the plank is longitudinally translated on the bed of the apparatus to form a plurality of incised sinuousities in the surface of the plank as the cutter is moved transversely on the carriage means with respect to the plank.

By the provision of an apparatus of the aforementioned character, it is possible to produce large quantities of plank which v'bearon at least one surface thereof a plurality of'incised sinuousities. The plank produced by the apparatus of the invention may be utilized for fencing -or for exterior or interior decoration. If desired, both surfaces of the plank may be decorated with incised sinuousities by the provision of a second cutter and carriage 2,918,096 Patented Dec. 22, 1959 ice By the utilization of the apparatus of the invention,

it is possible to produce large quantities `of sinuously decorated plank at a relatively low cost. This is due to the fact that the operation of the apparatus eliminates the large number of rejects characteristic of conventional methods of surface decoration of wooden planks and the like.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification and the accompanying drawings which are for the .purpose 'of illustration only and in which:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the -invention;

Fig. 2 is a section of a length of plank after it has passed partiallyvthrough the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is an illustrative view showing the manner in which plank which has passed through the apparatus may be utilized as fencing or the like;

Fig. 4 is a transverse, sectional view taken on the broken line 4 4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged,'fragmentary view taken from the broken line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary view showing the manner in which a design other than one composed by a plurality of sinuousities may be formed in the edges Vof the plank; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view showing'a plank which has been cut by a cutter of the character of that illustrated in Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figs. l and 4 5 thereof, there is shown an apparatus V10 for forming incised patterns in the surfaces and edgesof a plank 12 which is fed therethrough. The apparatus 10 includes a supporting frame 14 which incorporates an elongated bed 16, said bed, as best shown in Figs. l and 4 of the drawings, including a .plurality of spaced supporting members 18 which have `guide means 20 mounted thereupon to accurately guide theplank 12 longitudinally of the apparatus 10.

Mounted in operative relationship with the left-hand extremity of the 'apparatus 10 is a plank feeder 22 yconstituted by a plurality of feed rolls 24 Whichengage the upper surface of the-plank and which -have rubber'exteriors to increasetheir tractive effect upon :the.plank. An electric motor 26 is supported-upon abase 28 pivotally secured at 30, said motor y'constituting a part1 of the motor means of the apparatus and the mounting thereof upon the pivotally secured base 28 serving to maintain adequate tension upon the drive belt 32 entrained upon the driving sheave 34 of the motor 26 and upon a drive wheel 36 which is mounted on a shaft 38 journaled, in a manner not'shown, in the frame 14of the apparatus 10.

A pinion 40 is mounted on the sha-ft 38 for rotation by the wheel 36 and 'engages a gear wheel 42 which, in turn, drives a gear train indicated generally at 44, said gear train serving to cause the rotation of the feed rollers 24 of theV feeder 22.

Rotation of the feed rollers 24 causes the plank 12 to be moved longitudinally of the'bed 16 toward a cutter 46 which is disposed transversely of the bed16intermediate its'extremities andwhich includes a-drum"`48 whichfasbest shown-in Fig. 4 fof' the drawings,vr incorporates'a plurality ofslotsttl for-the reception of cutting blades 52 which are retainedinoperative relationship with said slots by means-of set screws`54 fwhich'abt on the sides of the blades 52.

The drum 48 of the cutter 46 is supported on carriage the shaft 60 while accommodating transverse movement' thereof, in a manner to be described in greater detail below. The other extremity of the shaft 60 is supported inthe carriage 64 by means of a ball bearing 70, said ball bearing having its inner race 72 engaging a shoulder 74 on the shaft and its outer race 76 restrained against movement by means of a collar 78 in a recess 80 in the carriage 64.

A cover plate 82 closes off the recess 80 and the lower extremity of the body 84 of the carriage 64 is mounted in a guide groove 86 formed in a mounting bracket 88 secured to and constituting a part of the frame 14 of the apparatus 10.

Therefore, the carriage 64 can be translated in a direction transversely of the bed 16 of the apparatus 10 to permit transverse movement of the shaft 60.

An auxiliary bracket 90 is secured to the mounting bracket 88 and supports adjustment means 92 constituted by an adjustable bolt 94. The shank of the bolt extends, as best shown in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, through an opening 96 in an arm 98 which is connected to the base of the body 84 of the carriage 64. Therefore, as the body 84 is shifted to the right by transverse movement of the shaft 60 in that direction, the right-angularly bent portion 100 of the arm 98 will impinge on the head of the bolt 94, limiting movement of the shaft 60 transversely of the bed 16 of the apparatus 10.

Disposed between the cover plate 82 on the body 84 of the carriage 64 and the vertical leg of the auxiliary bracket v90 is a compression spring 104, said compression spring being seated on the cover plate 82 and on an adjustable seat 106 secured to the right-hand extremity of an adjustment bolt 108. Rotation of the bolt 108 in an appropriate direction will cause the seat 106 to be advanced or retracted to correspondingly increase or reduce the compressive effect of the spring 104 upon the carriage 64. Therefore, the spring 104 serves to return the shaft 60 and thus the cutter 46 mounted thereupon from a second, extreme left-hand position, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, to a first, extreme righthand position.

Mounted on a platform 110 adjacent the one extremity of the shaft 60 is a gear reducer 112, said gear reducer incorporating a sheave 114 which is driven by means of a belt 116 operatively entrained upon a drive wheel 118 mounted on the shaft 38 rotated by the drive wheel 36. A cam 120 is rotatable by the gear reducer 112 at a predetermined speed and said cam is adapted to engage rotatable means indicated generally at 122 which is mounted in the one extremity of the shaft 60 and constituted by ball bearings 124 and 126. The ball bearings 124 and 126 are seated in ycommunicating recesses in the extremity of the shaft 60 and the outermost, larger bearing 126 is engageable by the cam 120 and thus serves as a cam follower in relationship to the cam 120.

It is, therefore, obvious that as the cam 120 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as indicated by the arrow 128 in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, the periphery thereof will engage the larger bearing 126 which will rotate with respect to said cam in its associated recess in the shaft 60 as the cam 120 urges the shaft 60 to the left, as b est shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. Movement of the shaft 60 transversely of the bed 16 of the apparatus l is, of course, accompanied by concomitant transverse movement of the drum 48 of the cutter 46 and concomitant transverse movement of the body 84 of the carnage 64 in theguide groove 86. As the carriage 64 is moved in the above described manner, compression of the spring 104 takes place and when the cam 120 1sI released from operative engagement with the larger bearing 126, the spring 104 will immediately return the shaft 60, and thus the cutter 46, from the second to the first position of the shaft. Y l

It is obvious that the load imposed upon the shaft 60 during transverse movement of the drum 48 of the cutter 46 is considerable and that if the cam 120 directly engaged the right-hand extremity of the shaft 60 as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, continuous wear of the cam 120 and the associated extremity of the shaft 60 would occur. However, the provision of the rotatable means constituted by the bearings 124 and 126 eliminates the wear which might be expected. Moreover, since the larger bearing 126 is seated upon the smaller bearing 124, premature wear of the larger bearing 126 is also eliminated. Therefore, during rotation of the cam 120, the shaft 60 is smoothly translated to the left. as viewed in Fig. 4 of the drawings, and the blades 52 mounted on the drum 48 of the cutter 46 engage the top surface of the plank 12 to form a plurality of parallel sinuousities 130 therein, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings.

Mounted upon the-shaft 60 and,-more particularly, upon the right-hand extremity thereof, as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings, is a multiple sheave 132 which is engaged by a multiple drive belt 134 entrained upon a drive wheel 136 driven by an electric motor 138 constituting a part of the motor means of the apparatus 10 of the invention.

Another cutter 140 is mounted for rotation in supports 142 located below the bed 16 of the apparatus 10, as best shown in Fig. l of the drawings. In the present embodiment of the invention, the cutter 140 is rotatable but is not movable transversely of the bed 16 and thus is merely adapted to form straight incised patterns 144 in another surface of the plank 12, as best shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The cutter 140 is driven by a motor 143 which is adapted to cause rotation of the cutter 140 simultaneously with the rotation of the cutter 46. If desired, the cutter 140 can be driven from the motor 138 through the drive belt connected to the motor 143. thus eliminating the motor 143.

Also mounted upon lthe frame 14 adjacent the opposite edges of the plank 12 as it traverses the bed 16 are edge or side cutters 146 which are adapted to form striations 148 in the edges of the plank 12 and which are rotated by means of an electric motor 150 which is operatively connected by a drive belt 152 to sheaves 154 which are, in turn, connected with the cutters 146.

Thus, during one passage of the plank 12 through the apparatus 10, the plank is provided with the sinuousities 130 in one surface thereof, while the other surface is provided with straight striations 144 and the opposite edges are provided with similar striations 148. While only one transversely movable cutter 46 is shown, it is, of course, possible that the second cutter 140 could be supplanted by a transversely movable cutter similar to the cutter 46 so that sinuousities could be simultaneously formed in both sides of the plank 12.

While the apparatus 10 has been shown and described as utilized in forming sinuous patterns in the surface of the plank, the apparatus can also be utilized in forming other decorative motifs in a plank, such as the scallops 156 formed in the edges of the plank 12, as best shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. When such scallops are formed, the blades 52 are removed from the slots 50 in the drum 48 of the cutter 46 and blades 158 of the character of that shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings are inserted in the drum 48.

The blades 158 include a substantially conical recess 160 and as the drum 48 lis moved transversely of the plank 12, the scallops 156 are formed in the opposite edges thereof.

The apparatus of the invention is thus characterized by the expeditious and economical formation of sinuousities or other analogous patterns or designs in the surface of a plank simultaneously with the formation of Vsimilar sinuousities in the opposed surface or conventional striations in said opposed surface and in the edges of the plank.

I claim:

1. In a device for forming a plurality of sinuousities'in one Vsurface of a plank, the combination of: an elongated bed; feeding means mounted on said bed for translating said plank longitudinally thereof; a rotatable, sinuousity forming cutter mounted adjacent saidbed and engageable with said one surface, said cutter being cyclically shiftable transversely of said bed to cause said sinuousities to `be formed in said one surface; means on said bed for shifting said cutter transversely thereof; and motor means operatively connected to said feeding means, said cutter and shifting means for simultaneously operating the same.

2. In a device for forming a plurality of sinuousities in one surface of a plank, the combination of: an elongated bed; feeding means mounted on said bed for translating said plank longitudinally thereof; a rotatable, sinuousity forming cutter mounted adjacent said bed and engageable with said one surface, said cutter being cycli cally shiftable transversely of said bed to cause said sinuousities to be formed in said one surface; means on said bed for shifting said cutter transversely thereof, said shifting means including resilient means for returning said cutter to a rst position; and motor means operatively connected to said feeding means, said cutter and shifting means for simultaneously operating the same.

3. In a device forming a plurality of sinuousities in one surface of a plank, the combination of: an elongated bed; feeding means mounted on said bed for translating said plank longitudinally thereof; a rotatable cutter mounted adjacent said bed and engageable with said one surface, said cutter being cyclically shiftable transversely of said bed to cause said sinuousities to be formed in said one surface; means on said bed for shifting said cutter transversely thereof, said shifting means including a cam for moving said cutter from a first position to a second position; and motor means operatively connected to lsaid feeding means, said cutter and said shifting means for simultaneously operating the same.

4. In a device for forming a plurality of sinuousities in one surface of a plank, the combination of: an elongated bed; feeding means mounted on said bed for translating said plank longitudinally thereof; a rotatable cutter mounted adjacent said bed and engageable with said one surface, said cutter being cyclically shiftable transversely of said bed to cause said sinuousities to be formed in said one surface; means on said bed for shifting said cutter transversely thereof, said shifting means including a cam operatively connected to said cutter for moving said cutter from a first to a second position and resilient means in opposed relationship with said cam for returning said cutter to said first position; and motor means operatively connected to said feeding means, said cutter and said shifting means for simultaneously operating the same.

5. In an apparatus for forming a sinuous pattern on one side of a plank, the combination of: an elongated bed; a feeder for said plank mounted on said bed; a rotatable cutter located adjacent said bed for forming said sinuous pattern on said one side, said cutter being cyclically movable transversely of said bed as said plank is translated therepast; carriage means on said bed supporting said cutter for transverse movement; shifting means for transversely moving said carriage means; an adjustable member operatively connected to said carriage means to determine the extent of transverse movement of said cutter; and motor means operatively connected to said feeder, said shifting means and said cutter to vsinn'lltarieously operate the same.

6. In an apparatus for forming a sinuous pattern on one side 'of Aa plank, the combination of: an elongated bed; a feeder for said plankY mounted on said bed; a rotatable cutter located adjacent said bed for forming said sinuous pattern on said one side, said cutter being cyclically movable transversely of said bed as said plank is translated therepast; carriage means on said bed supporting said cutter for transverse movement; shifting means for transversely moving said carriage means, said shifting means including a first member movable transversely of said bed to urge said carriage from a first to a second position and a second member movable transversely of said bed to move said carriage from said second to said first position; an adjustable member operatively corinected to said carriage means to determine the extent of transverse movement of said cutter; and motor means operatively connected to said feeder, said shifting means and said cutter to simultaneously operate the same.

7. In an apparatus for forming a sinuous pattern on one side of a plank, the combination of: an elongated bed; a feeder for said plank mounted on said bed; a rotatable cutter located adjacent said bed for forming said sinuous pattern on said one side, said cutter being cyclically movable transversely of said bed as said plank is translated therepast; carriage means on said bed supporting said cutter for transverse movement; shifting means for transversely moving said carriage means, said shifting means including a first member movable transversely of said bed to urge said carriage from a first to a second position and a second member movable transversely of said bed to move said carriage from said second to said first position; and motor means operatively connected to said feeder, said shifting means and said cutter to simultaneously operate the same.

8. In an apparatus for forming a plurality of like designs in one surface of a plank where said designs include portions laterally displaced from other portions of said designs on said surface, the combination of: a bed, a feed means for urging said plank longitudinally of said bed; carriage means mounted on said bed intermediate its extremities, said carriage means including a shaft extending transversely of said bed, supports connecting said shaft to said bed and a carriage connected to said shaft, said shaft having rotatable means mounted in one extremity thereof; a cutter engageable with said one surface of said plank and mounted intermediate the extremities of said shaft; and means for laterally and cyclically shifting said carriage and said cutter having a portion engageable with said rotatable means.

9. In an apparatus for forming a plurality of like designs in one surface of a plank where said designs include portions laterally displaced from other portions of said designs on said surface, the combination of: a bed; a feed means for urging said plank longitudinally of said bed; carriage means mounted on said bed intermediate its extremities, said carriage means including a shaft extending transversely of said bed, supports connecting said shaft to said bed and a carriage connected to said shaft, said shaft having rotatable means mounted in one extremity thereof; a cutter engageable with said one surface of said plank and mounted intermediate the'V extremities of said shaft; and means for laterally and cyclically shifting said carriage and said cutter having a portion engageable with said rotatable means, said por-- tion being constituted by a cam and said rotatable means.

constituting a cam foliower engageable with said cam.

l0. In an apparatus for forming incised designs on the opposite ysurfaces of a plank wherein one of the designs includes a plurality of sinuousities and the other incorporates parallel lines, the combination of: a bed; a feeder on said bed for moving said plank longitudinally thereof; carriage means extending across said bed and transversely movable thereof; a rst cutter mounted on said carriage means for movement transversely of said bed to form said one design in said plank; means on said bed for cyclically shifting said carriage to accomplish the transverse movement thereof; a second cutter disposed transversely of said bed for forming said other design in said plank; first drive means for simultaneously operating said feeder, said first cutter and said shifting means; and second drive means for operating saidfsecond cutter.

11. In an apparatus for forming incised designs on the the opposite surfaces of a plank wherein one of the designs includes a plurality of sinuousities and the other incorporates parallel lines, the combination of: a bed; a feeder on said bed for moving said plank longitudinally thereof; Vcarriage means extending across said bed and transversely movable thereof; a first cutter mounted on said carriage means for movement transversely of said bed to form said one design in said plank; means on said bed for cyclically shifting said carriage means to accomplish the transverse movement thereof; adjustable means on said bed for determining the extent of movement of said carriage means; a second cutter disposed transversely of said bed for forming said other design in said plank; first drive means for simultaneously operating said feeder, said first cutter and said shifting means; and second drive means for operating said second cutter.

l2. In an apparatus for forming incised designs in the opposite surfaces of a plank wherein one of the designs includes a plurality of sinuousities and the other incorporates parallel lines, the combination of:a bed; a feeder on said bed for moving said plank longitudinally thereof; carriage means extending across said bed and transversely movable thereof; a first cutter mounted on said carriage means for movement transversely of said bed to form said one design in said plank; means on said bed for cyclically shifting said carriage means to accomplish the transverse movement thereof, said shifting7 means including a first member movable transversely of said bed to urge said carriage means from a first to a second position and a second member movable transversely of said bed to move said carriage means from said second to said first position; a second cutter disposed transversely of said bed for forming said other design in said plank; first drive means for simultaneously operating said feeder, said first cutter and said shifting means; and second drive means for operating said second cutter.

13. In an apparatus for forming incised designs in the opposite surfaces of-a plank wherein one of the designs includes a plurality of sinuousites and the other incorporates parallel lines, the combination of: a bed; a feeder on said bed for moving said plank longitudinally thereof; carriage means extending across said bed and transversely movable thereof; a first cutter mounted on said carriage means for movement transversely of said bed to form said one design in said plank; means on said bed for cyclicallyl shifting said carriage means to accomplish the transverse movement thereof, said shifting means including a first member movable transversely of said bed to urge said carriage means from a first to a second position anda second member movable transversely of said bed to move said carriage means from said second to said first position; adjustable means on said bed for determining the extent of movement of said carriage means; a second cutter disposed transversely of said bed for forming said other design in said plank; first drive means for simultaneously operating said feeder, said first cutter and said shifting means; and second drive means for operating said second cutter.

14. In a device whereby dissimilar incised designs may be simultaneously formed in opposite sides of a plank, with one of the designs incorporating a plurality of sinuousities, the combination of: an elongated bed having an opening therein intermediate its extremities; a feeder for said plank mounted on said bed to translate it thereupon; a carriage on said bed movable transversely thereof; a first cutter mounted on said carriage for forming said one design; means on said bed for transversely and cyclically shifting said carriage; an adjustable stop on said bed for limiting transverse movement of said carriage; a second cutter disposed on said bed below said opening for forming the other design in said plank; first drive means connected to said feeder, first cutter and shifting means to operate the same; and second drive means for operating said second cutter.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS j 82,400 Gilpin, et a1. Sept. 22, 1868 297,563 Burnham Apr. 29, 1884 305,322 Merziger Sept. 16, 1884 417,238 Doane Dec. 17, 1889 565,463 Kellogg Aug. l1, 1896 1,943,597 Gilmer Jan. 16, 1934 2,574,912 Dennison Nov. 13, 1951 

